Scones

I changed these to raspberry/cream cheese by not adding the almond paste, almond extract, apricots or almonds and instead adding about 1 1/2 handfuls of raspberries and 3/4 of an 8 oz brick of cream cheese cut into small chunks.

Apricot Almond Scones (makes 12 scones) 4 cups all-purpose flour 3 T baking powder 1 tsp salt 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, frozen 1/2 stick almond paste (3.5 oz) 3/4 cup sugar 1 1/4 cups milk 1 tsp almond extract 1 cup slivered almonds 1 cup apricots, chopped Preheat oven to 375F 1. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a food processor fitted with the steel blade attachment and pulse a few times to mix. Cut the butter and almond paste into small chunks and add to the flour mixture, processing until both are incorporated to the point where no large pieces remain. Pulse in the sugar, and then add the milk and almond extract. Pulse just until the ingredients come together to form a dough. Put the dough into a large bowl and mix the slivered almonds and chopped apricots in by hand, only enough to get them evenly dispersed. 2. Using a spatula, separate the dough into 12 mounds on a prepared baking sheet. If necessary, use your hand or the spatula to round out and smooth the mounds slightly so they will bake evenly. 3. Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

tropical banana cake

Tropical Banana Cake
2 1/2 C. sifted cake flour (you can use regular flour too)
1 2/3 C. sugar
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2/3 C. shortening
1 1/4 C. mashed banana (about 3)
2/3 C. buttermilk
1/2 C. eggs (about 2)
1 tsp. vanilla
Sift together the following into large bowl: flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda & salt. Then add shortening, bananas, & 1/3 C. of the buttermilk. Stir to dampen flour mixture. Beat w/mixer for 2 min. Add remaining buttermilk, eggs and vanilla. Beat 2 min. Pour into greased & floured pans (I always use two 9" rounds and I put parchment paper in the bottoms of the pans to ensure no sticking - when you do this, grease the bottom, then lay the parchment paper, then grease and flour the top of the parchment paper). Bake at 350 for 30-35 min.
Lemon Banana Frosting
1/3 C. butter
2 C. Powdered sugar
3 tbsp mashed banana
1 tbsp lemon juice